The charges for checked luggage are probably the most hated airline fees out there and every major airline except Southwest charges to check the bags you used to hand over for free. (JetBlue, British Airways, Air Canada, and Lufthansa allow one bag free, but you pay after the first). The fee for the first bag is typically around $20, but the charges go up from there.
Unfortunately, as much as the baggage fees are despised, there seems to be no end to the airlines dreaming up new ways to rob passengers. They’ve eliminated all creature comforts, free drinks and snacks, and added an amazing array of charges. You can now expect to pay extra for calling to make a reservation, making a flight change, using their cheap headsets, even blanket and pillows come at a price. See our 2011 airline baggage fees chart for more details.
In a relatively new development, however, some airlines around the globe are beginning to or considering charging for carry-on luggage despite the fact that they are already earning billions in checked luggage fees. In a recent article on MainStreet.com, the airlines earned $3.4 billion in baggage fees in 2010.
One airline in particular, Ryanair is now charging passengers for overweight carry-ons (despite the fact that the passenger is doing all the work) and even implementing a charge for passengers to use of toilets! Now, we understand the weight limit issues, but some reports indicate that airport staff are being offered cash bonuses for catching Ryanair passengers with heavy carry-on luggage, which is certain to generate an unfriendly environment between staff and passengers.
While we’re pointing out one airline here, they all seem to be similarly guilty (Southwest is the exception) – are they trying to drive passengers away?
